Extend the functionality of your operating system - Specialized applications
Available everywhere - Find the application you need, Install on your operating system
Not every computer can run every application - Some simple checks can help message your desktop
Operating system platform
32-bit and 64-bit
32-bit vs. 64-bit - Processor specific
32-bit processors can store 2^32 = 4 billion values
64-bit processors can store 2^64 = 18 quintillion values - 4GB vs 17 billion GB, The OS has a maximum supported value
Hardware drivers are specific to the OS version - 32-bit (x86), 64-bit (x64)
-> if it's 32-bit OS, then it needs 32-bit drivers
32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit apps - But 64-bit OS can run 32-bit apps
Apps in a 64-bit Windows OS - 32-bit apps -> \Program Files(x86), 64-bit apps -> \Program Files
Graphics requirements
MSI Ventus GeForce RTX 4060
Integrated graphics - CPU and GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) are the same chip (together), Uses system memory for graphics, Common in laptops
Dedicated graphics card - Also called a discrete graphics card, Uses its own VRAM (Video RAM), High-end graphics requirements (Advanced application) - Separate
Check the application - Integrated or dedicated, VRAM requirements
RAM requirements
Silicon Power 8GB DDR3 1600MHz
Random Access Memory - Memory modules
A critical specification - Applician may perform poorly, Or not at all
This would be above and beyond the OS requirements - Dependent on the application, Consider all of the other running applications
-> Let's say that your OS requires 4GB of memory and your application also requires 4GM of memory, you'll need a total of 8GB of RAM
CPU requirements
CPU
Central Processing Unit - Processing speed, Usually measured in GHz
A broad measurement - Higher numbers are faster CPUs
Application requirements vary - Word processing (need a certain level of CPU) vs. Video editing (need a more high-powered CPU)
External hardware tokens
Keychain fobs
Manage application usage - Limit access to authorized users
Application will only operate with the hardware token connected - Commonly a USB device, Can be a challenge to manage
Often used with high-end software - High per-seat licensing costs
Storage requirements
Data Storage
Drive space concerns - Initial installation space requirement, Application use requirement
Some applications use a LOT of storage space after installation - The initial install requirements may not be the most important specification
Distribution methods
App Store
Downloadable - Direct from the manufacturer (application developer or an app store), Centralized app store, Avoid third-party downloads
Physical media - Optical media, USB drive, etc, Increasingly rare
ISO Files
ISO files
Optical disk image - A single ISO file / ISO image, Files and folders (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM)
Sector by sector copy of the data on an optical disc - ISO 9660 file system (-> collapsed that all into a single file), International Organization for Standardization
Mount in the operating system - Appears as a separate drive
Installation considerations
There's a reason we are careful when installing applications - Applications have the same rights and permissions as the user, An unknown application can cause significant issues
Impact to network - Access to internal services, Rights and permissions to file shares
Impact to operation - Many jobs are time-sensitive, An updated application may require a change to the workflow, Or may not work at all
Impact to the business - Critical processes are sensitive to downtime and outages, A change to an application can create significant issues, Other parts of the business rely on your results
(You could be bringing the entire business to a screeching halt)
